Methods and compositions for modification of the human glucocorticoid receptor locus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for inactivation of the human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene by targeted cleavage of genomic DNA encoding the GR. Such methods and compositions are useful, for example, in therapeutic applications which require retention of immune function during glucocorticoid treatment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/859,025, filed Nov. 13, 2006; U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/859,417, filed Nov. 15, 2006 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/967,820, filed Sep. 7, 2007, all of which disclosuresare hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSOREDRESEARCH

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is in the fields of immunology, immune systemmodulation and genome modification, including targeted mutagenesis,targeted genomic integration and targeted recombination.

BACKGROUND

The human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is expressed in almost all cellsof the body. Upon binding of glucocorticoid hormones such as cortisolthe receptor is translocated to the cell nucleus and activates atissue-specific set of target genes. The fact that GR target genes varyfrom one tissue to another results in a pleiotropic pattern of GReffects in different tissues.

Many of the physiological actions of glucocorticoid hormones are ofmedical interest and present potential areas for clinical intervention.For example, in Cushing's syndrome, excess GR activity leads to highblood pressure. In the brain, abnormalities in the GR pathway have beenlinked to depression and mood disorders; and, in the lung, suchabnormalities have been associated with asthma and chronic airwaydiseases.

One of the best-characterized clinical activities of glucocorticoidhormones is their anti-inflammatory action, which is due to theirimmuno-suppressive effects. Exposure of T-cells to glucocorticoidhormones leads to T-cell anergy and interferes with T-cell activation.For a recent review, see Rhen, T. et al. (2005). N. Engl. J. Med.353(16):1711-23. Long-term treatment with glucocorticoids leads toserious side effects like diabetes and osteoporosis. See discussion inRosen, J. et al. (2005) Endocr. Rev. 26(3):452-64. Moreover, suppressionof the entire immune system can lead to the reactivation of latentviruses (see Reinke, P. et al. (1999) Transpl Infect Dis 1(3): 157-64)and interferes with immunotherapy approaches; e.g., the delivery of abeneficial subset of immune cells to patients.

Many of the problems associated with the GR overactivation thataccompanies glucocorticoid treatment could be solved if a method wasavailable which allows selective disruption of GR function in a subsetof cells; e.g., a characterized population of T-cells. One such methodwould be to alter the sequence of the gene encoding the GR. Indeed, theability to manipulate (i.e. edit) the DNA sequence at specific locationsin the genome has been a major goal of human genome biology for sometime. A variety of techniques have previously been tested for thispurpose, but the frequencies of genome modification achieved with thesemethods have generally been too low for therapeutic applications. See,e.g., Yanez, R. J. et al. (1998) Gene Ther. 5(2): 149-159.

Another important application of genome editing is the insertion ofclinically useful transgenes into the genome. However, a crucialrequirement for any genome editing method is that it allow for targetedinsertion into a defined location. The importance of the requirement forprecisely targeted integration of a therapeutic transgene wasunderscored by the recent observation, in a clinical trial for treatmentof X-linked SCID that the random integration of transgenes used forhuman gene therapy resulted, in certain cases, in insertionalmutagenesis which led to oncogenic transformation of target cells.Hacein-Bey-Abina, S. et al. (2003). Science 302(5644):415-9.

Various methods and compositions for targeted cleavage of genomic DNAhave been described. Such targeted cleavage events can be used, forexample, to induce targeted mutagenesis, induce targeted deletions ofcellular DNA sequences, and facilitate targeted recombination at apredetermined chromosomal locus. See, for example, United States patentapplication publications US 2003/0232410 (Dec. 18, 2003), US2005/0026157 (Feb. 3, 2005), US 2005/0064474 (Mar. 24, 2005), US2005/0208489 (Sep. 22, 2005) and US 2006/0188987 (Aug. 24, 2006); thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entiretiesfor all purposes. Targeted integration of exogenous sequences can alsobe accomplished. See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/493,423 (filedJul. 26, 2006) the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference inits entirety for all purposes. See also PCT WO 2005/084190 (Sep. 15,2005), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

However, methods and compositions for specific cleavage of the humanglucocorticoid receptor gene, and for modulation of immune function bymodification of the GR gene, have not heretofore been described.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for alteration of thenucleotide sequence of the human gene encoding the glucocorticoidreceptor (GR). In certain embodiments, alteration of the sequence of thehuman GR gene inactivates GR function.

The methods include expression, in a cell, of a pair of zinc fingernucleases targeted to the human GR gene, which catalyze double strandedcleavage of sequences in the GR gene. Zinc finger nucleases are fusionproteins, comprising a zinc finger DNA-binding domain that has beenengineered to bind to a target sequence and a cleavage half-domain.Expression of the zinc finger nucleases in a cell can be achieved byintroduction of the nucleases themselves, RNA encoding the nucleases, orDNA encoding the nucleases, into the cell. GR-targeted zinc fingernucleases comprise zinc finger DNA-binding domains that have beenengineered to bind to target sites in the GR gene. Engineering of a zincfinger DNA-binding domain includes determination of the amino acidsequence of the zinc fingers required for binding to the targetnucleotide sequence (which may be achieved by computational or empiricalmeans) and construction of a polynucleotide or polypeptide sequencecorresponding to the desired amino acid sequence(s).

Exemplary engineered zinc finger DNA-binding domains targeted to thehuman GR gene are shown in Table 2 and their target sequences are shownin Table 1. Thus, this disclosure provides zinc finger nucleasestargeted to any site in the human GR gene, and polynucleotides encodingsaid zinc finger nucleases. Cells comprising the aforementioned zincfinger nucleases and polynucleotides are also provided, for example,isolated cells, either primary cells or cells in culture.

In certain embodiments, targeted cleavage of the human GR gene by thezinc finger nucleases induces sequence alterations resulting fromnon-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). In additional embodiments, two zincfinger nucleases are expressed in a cell, and a donor polynucleotide isintroduced into the cell. The donor polynucleotide contains a firstregion of homology to sequences upstream of the double-strand breakcreated by the zinc finger nucleases, and a second region of homology tosequences downstream of the double-strand break. The donorpolynucleotide optionally contains exogenous sequences that arenon-homologous to the GR gene, which may comprise a transgene such as,for example, a chimeric T-cell receptor.

Inactivation of GR function by altering the primary nucleotide sequenceof the GR gene, as described herein, can be used to prevent GR-mediatedimmune suppression in a variety of applications.

In one aspect, provided herein is a fusion protein comprising: (i) azinc finger DNA-binding domain that has been engineered to bind a targetsequence in the GR gene, and (ii) a cleavage half-domain. In certainembodiments, the zinc finger DNA-binding domain comprises a set of aminoacid sequences in the order shown in a row of Table 2. Polynucleotidesencoding any of the fusion proteins described herein are also provided.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method forinactivating glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function in a cell, the methodcomprising: expressing in the cell a pair of fusion proteins, whereineach fusion protein comprises: (i) a zinc finger DNA-binding domain thathas been engineered to bind a target sequence in the GR gene, and (ii) acleavage half-domain; such that the fusion proteins catalyze adouble-strand break in the GR gene. In certain embodiments, the zincfinger DNA-binding domain of a fusion protein comprises a set of aminoacid sequences in the order shown in a row of Table 2. Any of themethods described herein may further comprise the step introducing apolynucleotide into the cell, wherein the polynucleotide comprises afirst region of homology to sequences upstream of the double-strandbreak and a second region of homology to sequences downstream of thedouble-strand break. Optionally, the polynucleotide further comprisesexogenous sequences (e.g., a transgene such as a modified receptor) thatare non-homologous to the GR gene. Furthermore, any of the methods mayprevent glucocorticoid-mediated immune suppression and/or T-cell anergy.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides methods of selectingcells into which an exogenous sequence has been introduced into a GRgene. The method comprises expressing ZFNs as described herein to causea double-stranded break in a GR gene and introducing a donorpolynucleotide (comprising GR homology arms and the exogenous sequence)into the cell. Cells in which the donor polynucleotide has been insertedinto a GR gene are then selected for by growing the cells in thepresence of a corticosteroid, which kills cells expressing normalamounts of GR. The term “corticosteriod” includes naturally occurringsteroid hormones such as cortisol, corticosterone, cortisone andaldosterone. The term also includes synthetic drugs withcorticosteroid-like effect including, for example, dexamethasone,prednisone, Fludrocortisone (Florinef®) and the like. In certainembodiments, the corticosteroid is dexamethasone. In any of thesemethods, the exogenous sequence may comprise a transgene (a sequenceencoding a polypeptide of interest). Alternatively, the exogenoussequence may be a non-coding sequence.

In any of the methods described herein, the ZFNs are expressed using aviral delivery vector, for example, a replication-defective viralvector. In certain embodiments, the viral delivery vector is anadenovirus, a hybrid adenovirus or a non-integrating lentivirus.

Accordingly, the disclosure includes, but is not limited to, thefollowing embodiments.

1. A method for inactivating glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function in acell, the method comprising:

expressing in the cell a pair of fusion proteins, wherein each fusionprotein comprises:

-   -   (i) a zinc finger DNA-binding domain that has been engineered to        bind a target sequence in the GR gene, and    -   (ii) a cleavage half-domain;

such that the fusion proteins catalyze a double-strand break in the GRgene.

2. The method of 1, wherein the zinc finger DNA-binding domain of afusion protein comprises a set of amino acid sequences in the ordershown in a row of Table 2.

3. The method of 1, further comprising introducing a polynucleotide intothe cell, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a first region ofhomology to sequences upstream of the double-strand break and a secondregion of homology to sequences downstream of the double-strand break.

4. The method of 3, wherein the polynucleotide further comprisesexogenous sequences that are non-homologous to the GR gene.

5. The method of 4, wherein the exogenous sequences comprise atransgene.

6. The method of 5, wherein the transgene encodes a modified receptor.

7. The method of 1, wherein inactivation of GR function preventsglucocorticoid-mediated immune suppression.

8. The method of 1, wherein inactivation of GR function prevents T-cellanergy.

9. A fusion protein comprising:

-   -   (i) a zinc finger DNA-binding domain that has been engineered to        bind a target sequence in the GR gene, and

(ii) a cleavage half-domain.

10. The fusion protein of 9, wherein the zinc finger DNA-binding domaincomprises a set of amino acid sequences in the order shown in a row ofTable 2.

11. A polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein of 9.

12. The method of 1, wherein the expressing step comprises contactingthe cell with a viral delivery vector.

13. The method of 12, wherein the vector is replication-defective.

14. The method of 12, wherein the viral delivery vector is anadenovirus, a hybrid adenovirus or a non-integrating lentivirus.

15. A method of selecting cells comprising an exogenous sequence in a GRgene, the method comprising

expressing a pair of fusion proteins in the cell, wherein each fusionprotein comprises:

-   -   (i) a zinc finger DNA-binding domain that has been engineered to        bind a target sequence in a GR gene, and    -   (ii) a cleavage half-domain;    -   such that the fusion proteins catalyze a double-strand break in        the GR gene;

introducing a polynucleotide into the cell, wherein the polynucleotidecomprises a first region of homology to sequences upstream of thedouble-strand break, a second region of homology to sequences downstreamof the double-strand break and the exogenous sequence; and

treating the cells with a natural or synthetic corticosteroid underconditions such that cells not comprising the exogenous sequence in a GRgene are killed, thereby selecting cells into which an exogenoussequence has been introduced into a GR gene.

16. The method of 15, wherein the corticosteroid is synthetic.

17. The method of 16, wherein the corticosteriod is dexamethasone.

18. The method of 15, wherein the exogenous sequence comprises atransgene.

19. The method of 15, wherein the expressing step comprises contactingthe cell with a viral delivery vector.

20. The method of 19, wherein the vector is replication-defective.

21. The method of 19, wherein the viral delivery vector is anadenovirus, a hybrid adenovirus or a non-integrating lentivirus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary plasmid construct encodinga zinc finger nuclease. “CMV promoter” denotes the human cytomegalovirusimmediate early promoter, “ZFN” denotes sequences encoding a zinc fingernuclease (e.g., a zinc finger DNA-binding domain fused to a cleavagehalf-domain), “BGH polyA” denotes the polyadenylation signal from thebovine growth hormone gene, “SV40 promoter” denotes the major promoterfrom simian virus 40, “NeoR” denotes an open reading frame encodingneomycin resistance, “SV40 pA” denotes the polyadenlyation signal fromthe simian virus 40 major transcription unit, “ColE1” denotes areplication origin from Colicin EI and “AmpR” denotes the β-lactamasegene encoding ampicillin resistance.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an exemplary plasmid construct encoding twodifferent zinc finger nucleases. Abbreviations are the same as in FIG. 1with the following additions. “2A” denotes the Foot-and-Mouth Diseasevirus (FMDV) ribosome stuttering signal, “KanR” denotes an open readingframe which encodes kanamycin resistance and “pUC ori” denotes theorigin of replication from the pUC 19 plasmid.

FIG. 3, panels A and B, show the results of Cel I assays demonstratingcleavage by ZFNs in the GR locus in hematopoietic cells (K562). FIG. 3Ashows analysis of cleavage in Exon 3, and FIG. 3B shows analysis ofcleavage in exon 6. An ethidium bromide stain of a 10% acrylamide gel isshown.

FIG. 4, panels A and B, show ZFN mediated targeted integration of azetakine transgene into the GR locus. FIG. 4A shows PCR analysis ofCEM14 cells transfected with GR-ZFNs and a zetakine-donor ZFN constructin the presence or absence of dexamethasone. Lanes with a “+” indicatecells treated with dexamethasone and lanes with a “−” indicate cells nottreated with dexamethasone. “M” indicates the marker lane; “un”indicates untransfected cells; “zetakine” indicates cells transfectedwith the GR-ZFNs and the zetakine-donor construct; “p.c.” indicates thepositive control; and “n.c.” indicates the negative control.

FIG. 4B shows Southern blot analysis of CEM14 genomic DNA digested withSexA1. “M” indicates the marker lane; “un” indicates untransfected cellstreated with dexamethasone; and “zetakine” indicates cells transfectedwith the GR-ZFNs and the zetakine-donor construct and treated withdexamethasone. Also shown with arrows are a 1.6 kb marker band;wild-type 5.2 kb band; and 2.0 kb band representing integrated zetakinetransgene (TI).

FIG. 5 shows a chemiluminescent image of a protein blot that was probedwith an antibody to the human glucocorticoid receptor. “CEM14” denotesuntransfected cells; “ZFN” denotes CEM14 cells that had been transfectedwith a plasmid containing sequences encoding two ZFNs targeted to exon 3of the GR gene, sequences containing a zetakine cassette, and sequenceshomologous to the GR gene. Bands corresponding to full-length andtruncated GR protein are indicated to the left of the photograph.

FIG. 6 shows the results of Cel I assays demonstrating cleavage by ZFNsin exon 3 of the GR locus in CD-8⁺ T-cells. An autoradiogram of a 10%acrylamide gel is shown. Abbreviations are as follows: “un” denotesuntransfected cells, “GFP” denotes cells transfected with a plasmidencoding green fluorescent protein. The identities of the zinc fingerportion of the zinc finger nucleases expressed in the transfected cellsare shown above the two rightmost lanes; see Tables 1 and 2 for details.

FIG. 7, panels A and B, shows the results of Cel I assays demonstratingGR cleavage by ZFNs in CD-8⁺ T-cells before (FIG. 7A) and after (FIG.7B) treatment with dexamethasone. “ZFN-10” denotes cells infected withAd5/F35 vector carrying ZFN pairs 9666 and 9674 at a multiplicity ofinfection (moi) of 10; “ZFN-30” denotes cells infected with Ad5/F35vector carrying ZFN pairs 9666 and 9674 at moi of 30; “ZFN-100” denotescells infected with Ad5/F35 vector carrying ZFN pairs 9666 and 9674 atmoi of 100; and “GFP” denotes cells transfected with a control Ad5/F35virus encoding green fluorescent protein at an moi of 100. Modificationfrequencies (percentages) are shown beneath various lanes.

FIG. 8 is a graph depicting glucocorticoid resistance of CD8+ cell poolsdescribed in Example 7, as determined by comparing cell viability beforeand after a second treatment with 10⁻⁴M dexamethasone for 8 days.

FIG. 9, panels A and B, show Western blot analysis for GR protein fromtwo separate experiments. Panel A shows results of proteins extractedfrom CD8+ cell pools described in Example 7; from the zetakineexpressing CD8+ cell pool that was used for the virus transduction(‘IL-13 ZK pool’); and from a subclone (‘10A1’) of the ZFN 100 pool. Theantibody used for probing each panel is listed to the left of the blot.TFIIB (Santa Cruz Antibodies) was used as a loading control. The GRantibody was obtained from BD Biosciences. Panel B shows GR proteinlevels in various subclones of CD8+ cells with specificity to CMVtreated with the GR-ZFN expressing Ad5/F35 virus. Clone names areindicated above the lanes and “mock” refers to the mock infectedstarting CMV-targeted CD8+ cell pool.

FIG. 10, panels A through D, are graphs depicting RT-PCR analysis of ZFNtreated CD8+ T-cells for expression of the indicated genes. Panel Ashows expression of IκBα; panel B shows expression of GILZ; panel Cshows expression of MKP-1; and panel E shows expression of IFNγ. Thesamples tested are shown below the bars and were either untreated (“un”)or treated with dexamethasone (“dex”) for 20 hrs.

FIG. 11 is a graph depicting IFN-γ cytokine release by ZFN Treated CD8+T-Cells upon stimulation with glioma cells. The CD8+ T-cell pools areindicated below the bars. “Dex” refers to cells treated with 10⁻⁶ Mdexamethasone. “U87MG” refers to cells cultured in the present ofglioblastoma stimulator cells.

FIG. 12, panels A to E, are graphs depicting results of chromium releaseassays using control and GR-ZFN-treated CD8+ T-cells. The cells used arenoted above each graph. Samples were obtained using the target celllines indicated on the right at various effector: target ratios. Thepercentage of chromium release is plotted against the effector: targetratio for each data point.

FIG. 13, panels A to C, are graphs depicting photons emitted from tumorcells in an orthotopic glioblastoma mouse model using luciferase labeledU87MG cells. Panel A shows photon emission from PBS control injectionsinto the indicated animals. Panel B shows photon emission from animalsinjected with GFP100 controls. Panel C shows photon emission fromanimals injected with ZFN100 (GR-targeted ZFN at moi 100).

FIG. 14, panels A to D, are graphs depicting photons emitted from tumorcells in the orthotopic mouse glioblastoma model in the presence orabsence of administered glucocorticoid hormone. FIGS. 14A and 14B showphoton emission from PBS control injections in the absence (FIG. 14A) orpresence (FIG. 14B) of dexamethasone. FIGS. 14C and 14D show photonemission from tumor cells of the mice following injecting of ZFN treatedclone 10A1 into the tumor cells in the absence (FIG. 14C) or presence ofdexamethasone (FIG. 14D).

FIG. 15 is a schematic depicting an experimental outline for determiningthe DNA-binding specificity of an individual zinc finger DNA-bindingdomain by SELEX. Hemaglutinin-tagged ZFNs were incubated with a pool ofrandomized DNA sequences in the presence of biotinylated anti-HA Fabantibody fragments. The tagged ZFN-DNA complexes were captured withstreptavidin-coated magnetic beads, and the bound DNA was released andamplified by PCR. This process was repeated three times using theprevious eluted, amplified pool of DNA as a starting sequence. Afterfour iterations, the eluted DNA fragments were sequenced, and theconsensus sequence was determined.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for altering theprimary sequence of the gene encoding the glucocorticoid receptor (GR),utilizing fusion proteins comprising an engineered zinc fingerDNA-binding domain and a cleavage domain (or cleavage half-domain),referred to herein as “zinc finger nucleases.” Such sequence alterationscan result in inactivation of human GR function. As is known in the art,zinc finger DNA-binding domains can be engineered, by selection methodsor using techniques of rational design, to bind any target DNA sequenceof choice. Fusion of engineered zinc finger DNA-binding domains tovarious types of functional domain, including transcriptional activationdomains, transcriptional repression domains and nuclease domains, hasalso been described. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,534,261 and6,933,113 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005-0064474; thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.Thus, by fusion of an engineered zinc finger binding domain to anuclease domain, also known as a cleavage domain (i.e., a polypeptidedomain with the ability to cleave double-stranded DNA), a customendonuclease, having cleavage specificity for a sequence of choice, canbe constructed. In certain embodiments, an engineered zinc fingerDNA-binding domain is fused to a “cleavage half-domain” (i.e., apolypeptide domain which, when dimerized, possesses double-stranded DNAcleavage activity) and a pair of such fusion proteins is used fortargeted DNA cleavage.

Cleavage of genomic DNA can result in the induction of a cellular repairmechanism known as non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). In the process ofrejoining broken DNA ends, NHEJ often introduces mutations into thesequence at or around the site of the DNA break. The error-prone natureof the repair process, coupled with the ability of the zinc fingernuclease(s) to continue to bind and cleave their target sequence(s)until error-prone repair causes an alteration of the target sequence(s),results in the accumulation of mutations at or near the site of cleavageat a high frequency. Accordingly, targeted cleavage of endogenousgenomic DNA sequences with zinc finger nucleases can be used to inducesequence changes (i.e., mutations) at or around the site of targetedcleavage. If such changes in nucleotide sequence occur in a region ofthe genome that encodes a protein, they usually result in alterations ofthe amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. For example, alterationof reading frame can result in production of a truncated protein due topremature translation termination. Alternatively, incorrect amino acidsmay be encoded. In either case, a non-functional polypeptide isproduced. An additional consequence of sequence alteration followingNHEJ is nonsense-mediated decay of mRNA encoded by the altered sequence.Thus, targeted DNA cleavage using zinc finger nucleases can be used toinactivate the function of a gene of choice. Inactivation can beachieved either by mutagenesis of both alleles or by mutagenesis of asingle allele to generate a dominant negative mutant protein.

Targeted cleavage at a predetermined site in endogenous chromosomal DNAcan also be used to facilitate integration of exogenous sequences at ornear the site of cleavage, by both homology-directed andhomology-independent mechanisms. For homology-dependent integration, a“donor sequence,” containing sequences homologous to genomic sequenceson both sides of the targeted cleavage site, is provided to cells inaddition to the zinc finger nuclease(s). Such a donor sequence can alsocontain sequences that are nonhomologous to genomic sequences in thevicinity of the targeted cleavage site, optionally disposed between twostretches of homologous sequence. See, for example, United States PatentApplication Publication No. 2005-0064474 (Mar. 24, 2005) and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/493,423 (Jul. 26, 2006), the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated by reference in their entireties for allpurposes. If integration of exogenous sequences occurs within thetranscribed region of a gene, at both alleles, inactivation of the genecan result. Finally, targeted cleavage at two or more sites inendogenous chromosomal DNA can result in deletion of genomic sequencesbetween the cleavage sites. See U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2006-0188987 (Aug. 24, 2006), the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes. Thus, gene function can beinactivated by any of the foregoing mechanisms, all of which depend upontargeted cleavage of endogenous chromosomal DNA with one or more zincfinger nucleases.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for mutatingthe human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene. Such mutations can causeloss of GR function and result in modulation of immune function in asubject. In certain embodiments, mutation of the GR gene results fromzinc finger nuclease-mediated integration of exogenous sequences intothe human GR locus. In additional embodiments, the exogenous sequencescomprise sequences encoding a modified receptor molecule.

The methods and compositions disclosed herein allow permanent abolitionof glucocorticoid receptor function in a specified population of cells.This makes it possible, for example, to treat patients withimmunosuppressant glucocorticoid hormones, while allowing those patientsto retain a subset of immune cells able to effect specific immuneresponses.

Also provided are methods and compositions which facilitate the use ofthe GR locus as a defined integration site for therapeutic transgenes.

General

Practice of the methods, as well as preparation and use of thecompositions disclosed herein employ, unless otherwise indicated,conventional techniques in molecular biology, biochemistry, chromatinstructure analysis, computational chemistry, cell culture, recombinantDNA and related fields as are within the skill of the art. Thesetechniques are fully explained in the literature. See, for example,Sambrook et al. MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory Press, Second edition, 1989, Third edition, 2001;Ausubel et al., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley &Sons, New York, 1987 and periodic updates; and the series METHODS INENZYMOLOGY, Academic Press, San Diego.

DEFINITIONS

The terms “nucleic acid,” “polynucleotide,” and “oligonucleotide” areused interchangeably and refer to a deoxyribonucleotide orribonucleotide polymer, in linear or circular conformation, and ineither single- or double-stranded form. For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, these terms are not to be construed as limiting with respectto the length of a polymer. The terms can encompass known analogues ofnatural nucleotides, as well as nucleotides that are modified in thebase, sugar and/or phosphate moieties (e.g., phosphorothioatebackbones). In general, an analogue of a particular nucleotide has thesame base-pairing specificity; i.e., an analogue of A will base-pairwith T.

The terms “polypeptide,” “peptide” and “protein” are usedinterchangeably to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues. The termalso applies to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acids arechemical analogues or modified derivatives of a correspondingnaturally-occurring amino acids.

“Binding” refers to a sequence-specific, non-covalent interactionbetween macromolecules (e.g., between a protein and a nucleic acid). Notall components of a binding interaction need be sequence-specific (e.g.,contacts with phosphate residues in a DNA backbone), as long as theinteraction as a whole is sequence-specific. Such interactions aregenerally characterized by a dissociation constant (Kd) of 10−6 M−1 orlower. “Affinity” refers to the strength of binding: increased bindingaffinity being correlated with a lower Kd.

A “binding protein” is a protein that is able to bind non-covalently toanother molecule. A binding protein can bind to, for example, a DNAmolecule (a DNA-binding protein), an RNA molecule (an RNA-bindingprotein) and/or a protein molecule (a protein-binding protein). In thecase of a protein-binding protein, it can bind to itself (to formhomodimers, homotrimers, etc.) and/or it can bind to one or moremolecules of a different protein or proteins. A binding protein can havemore than one type of binding activity. For example, zinc fingerproteins have DNA-binding, RNA-binding and protein-binding activity.

A “zinc finger DNA binding protein” (or binding domain) is a protein, ora domain within a larger protein, that binds DNA in a sequence-specificmanner through one or more zinc fingers, which are regions of amino acidsequence within the binding domain whose structure is stabilized throughcoordination of a zinc ion. The term zinc finger DNA binding protein isoften abbreviated as zinc finger protein or ZFP.

Zinc finger binding domains can be “engineered” to bind to apredetermined nucleotide sequence. Non-limiting examples of methods forengineering zinc finger proteins are design and selection. A designedzinc finger protein is a protein not occurring in nature whosedesign/composition results principally from rational criteria. Rationalcriteria for design include application of substitution rules andcomputerized algorithms for processing information in a database storinginformation of existing ZFP designs and binding data. See, for example,U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,140,081; 6,453,242; and 6,534,261; see also WO98/53058; WO 98/53059; WO 98/53060; WO 02/016536 and WO 03/016496.

A “selected” zinc finger protein is a protein not found in nature whoseproduction results primarily from an empirical process such as phagedisplay, interaction trap or hybrid selection. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,789,538; U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,523; U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,988; U.S. Pat.No. 6,013,453; U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,759; WO 95/19431; WO 96/06166; WO98/53057; WO 98/54311; WO 00/27878; WO 01/60970 WO 01/88197 and WO02/099084.

The term “sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence of any length, whichcan be DNA or RNA; can be linear, circular or branched and can be eithersingle-stranded or double stranded. The term “donor sequence” refers toa nucleotide sequence that is inserted into a genome. A donor sequencecan be of any length, for example between 2 and 10,000 nucleotides inlength (or any integer value therebetween or thereabove), preferablybetween about 100 and 1,000 nucleotides in length (or any integertherebetween), more preferably between about 200 and 500 nucleotides inlength.

A “homologous, non-identical sequence” refers to a first sequence whichshares a degree of sequence identity with a second sequence, but whosesequence is not identical to that of the second sequence. For example, apolynucleotide comprising the wild-type sequence of a mutant gene ishomologous and non-identical to the sequence of the mutant gene. Incertain embodiments, the degree of homology between the two sequences issufficient to allow homologous recombination therebetween, utilizingnormal cellular mechanisms. Two homologous non-identical sequences canbe any length and their degree of non-homology can be as small as asingle nucleotide (e.g., for correction of a genomic point mutation bytargeted homologous recombination) or as large as 10 or more kilobases(e.g., for insertion of a gene at a predetermined ectopic site in achromosome). Two polynucleotides comprising the homologous non-identicalsequences need not be the same length. For example, an exogenouspolynucleotide (i.e., donor polynucleotide) of between 20 and 10,000nucleotides or nucleotide pairs can be used.

Techniques for determining nucleic acid and amino acid sequence identityare known in the art. Typically, such techniques include determining thenucleotide sequence of the mRNA for a gene and/or determining the aminoacid sequence encoded thereby, and comparing these sequences to a secondnucleotide or amino acid sequence. Genomic sequences can also bedetermined and compared in this fashion. In general, identity refers toan exact nucleotide-to-nucleotide or amino acid-to-amino acidcorrespondence of two polynucleotides or polypeptide sequences,respectively. Two or more sequences (polynucleotide or amino acid) canbe compared by determining their percent identity. The percent identityof two sequences, whether nucleic acid or amino acid sequences, is thenumber of exact matches between two aligned sequences divided by thelength of the shorter sequences and multiplied by 100. An approximatealignment for nucleic acid sequences is provided by the local homologyalgorithm of Smith and Waterman, Advances in Applied Mathematics2:482-489 (1981). This algorithm can be applied to amino acid sequencesby using the scoring matrix developed by Dayhoff, Atlas of ProteinSequences and Structure, M. O. Dayhoff ed., 5 suppl. 3:353-358, NationalBiomedical Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., USA, and normalized byGribskov, Nucl. Acids Res. 14(6):6745-6763 (1986). An exemplaryimplementation of this algorithm to determine percent identity of asequence is provided by the Genetics Computer Group (Madison, Wis.) inthe “BestFit” utility application. The default parameters for thismethod are described in the Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package ProgramManual, Version 8 (1995) (available from Genetics Computer Group,Madison, Wis.). A preferred method of establishing percent identity inthe context of the present disclosure is to use the MPSRCH package ofprograms copyrighted by the University of Edinburgh, developed by JohnF. Collins and Shane S. Sturrok, and distributed by IntelliGenetics,Inc. (Mountain View, Calif.). From this suite of packages theSmith-Waterman algorithm can be employed where default parameters areused for the scoring table (for example, gap open penalty of 12, gapextension penalty of one, and a gap of six). From the data generated the“Match” value reflects sequence identity. Other suitable programs forcalculating the percent identity or similarity between sequences aregenerally known in the art, for example, another alignment program isBLAST, used with default parameters. For example, BLASTN and BLASTP canbe used using the following default parameters: genetic code=standard;filter=none; strand=both; cutoff=60; expect=10; Matrix=BLOSUM62;Descriptions=50 sequences; sort by=HIGH SCORE; Databases=non-redundant,GenBank+EMBL+DDBJ+PDB+GenBank CDS translations+Swissprotein+Spupdate+PIR. Details of these programs can be found at thefollowing internet address: http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/cgi-bin/BLAST. Withrespect to sequences described herein, the range of desired degrees ofsequence identity is approximately 80% to 100% and any integer valuetherebetween. Typically the percent identities between sequences are atleast 70-75%, preferably 80-82%, more preferably 85-90%, even morepreferably 92%, still more preferably 95%, and most preferably 98%sequence identity.

Alternatively, the degree of sequence similarity between polynucleotidescan be determined by hybridization of polynucleotides under conditionsthat allow formation of stable duplexes between homologous regions,followed by digestion with single-stranded-specific nuclease(s), andsize determination of the digested fragments. Two nucleic acid, or twopolypeptide sequences are substantially homologous to each other whenthe sequences exhibit at least about 70%-75%, preferably 80%-82%, morepreferably 85%-90%, even more preferably 92%, still more preferably 95%,and most preferably 98% sequence identity over a defined length of themolecules, as determined using the methods above. As used herein,substantially homologous also refers to sequences showing completeidentity to a specified DNA or polypeptide sequence. DNA sequences thatare substantially homologous can be identified in a Southernhybridization experiment under, for example, stringent conditions, asdefined for that particular system. Defining appropriate hybridizationconditions is within the skill of the art. See, e.g., Sambrook et al.,supra; Nucleic Acid Hybridization: A Practical Approach, editors B. D.Hames and S. J. Higgins, (1985) Oxford; Washington, D.C.; IRL Press).

Selective hybridization of two nucleic acid fragments can be determinedas follows. The degree of sequence identity between two nucleic acidmolecules affects the efficiency and strength of hybridization eventsbetween such molecules. A partially identical nucleic acid sequence willat least partially inhibit the hybridization of a completely identicalsequence to a target molecule. Inhibition of hybridization of thecompletely identical sequence can be assessed using hybridization assaysthat are well known in the art (e.g., Southern (DNA) blot, Northern(RNA) blot, solution hybridization, or the like, see Sambrook, et al.,Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, (1989) ColdSpring Harbor, N.Y.). Such assays can be conducted using varying degreesof selectivity, for example, using conditions varying from low to highstringency. If conditions of low stringency are employed, the absence ofnon-specific binding can be assessed using a secondary probe that lackseven a partial degree of sequence identity (for example, a probe havingless than about 30% sequence identity with the target molecule), suchthat, in the absence of non-specific binding events, the secondary probewill not hybridize to the target.

When utilizing a hybridization-based detection system, a nucleic acidprobe is chosen that is complementary to a reference nucleic acidsequence, and then by selection of appropriate conditions the probe andthe reference sequence selectively hybridize, or bind, to each other toform a duplex molecule. A nucleic acid molecule that is capable ofhybridizing selectively to a reference sequence under moderatelystringent hybridization conditions typically hybridizes under conditionsthat allow detection of a target nucleic acid sequence of at least about10-14 nucleotides in length having at least approximately 70% sequenceidentity with the sequence of the selected nucleic acid probe. Stringenthybridization conditions typically allow detection of target nucleicacid sequences of at least about 10-14 nucleotides in length having asequence identity of greater than about 90-95% with the sequence of theselected nucleic acid probe. Hybridization conditions useful forprobe/reference sequence hybridization, where the probe and referencesequence have a specific degree of sequence identity, can be determinedas is known in the art (see, for example, Nucleic Acid Hybridization: APractical Approach, editors B. D. Hames and S. J. Higgins, (1985)Oxford; Washington, D.C.; IRL Press).

Conditions for hybridization are well-known to those of skill in theart. Hybridization stringency refers to the degree to whichhybridization conditions disfavor the formation of hybrids containingmismatched nucleotides, with higher stringency correlated with a lowertolerance for mismatched hybrids. Factors that affect the stringency ofhybridization are well-known to those of skill in the art and include,but are not limited to, temperature, pH, ionic strength, andconcentration of organic solvents such as, for example, formamide anddimethylsulfoxide. As is known to those of skill in the art,hybridization stringency is increased by higher temperatures, lowerionic strength and lower solvent concentrations.

With respect to stringency conditions for hybridization, it is wellknown in the art that numerous equivalent conditions can be employed toestablish a particular stringency by varying, for example, the followingfactors: the length and nature of the sequences, base composition of thevarious sequences, concentrations of salts and other hybridizationsolution components, the presence or absence of blocking agents in thehybridization solutions (e.g., dextran sulfate, and polyethyleneglycol), hybridization reaction temperature and time parameters, as wellas, varying wash conditions. The selection of a particular set ofhybridization conditions is selected following standard methods in theart (see, for example, Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A LaboratoryManual, Second Edition, (1989) Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.).

“Recombination” refers to a process of exchange of genetic informationbetween two polynucleotides. For the purposes of this disclosure,“homologous recombination (HR)” refers to the specialized form of suchexchange that takes place, for example, during repair of double-strandbreaks in cells. This process requires nucleotide sequence homology,uses a “donor” molecule to template repair of a “target” molecule (i.e.,the one that experienced the double-strand break), and is variouslyknown as “non-crossover gene conversion” or “short tract geneconversion,” because it leads to the transfer of genetic informationfrom the donor to the target. Without wishing to be bound by anyparticular theory, such transfer can involve mismatch correction ofheteroduplex DNA that forms between the broken target and the donor,and/or “synthesis-dependent strand annealing,” in which the donor isused to resynthesize genetic information that will become part of thetarget, and/or related processes. Such specialized HR often results inan alteration of the sequence of the target molecule such that part orall of the sequence of the donor polynucleotide is incorporated into thetarget polynucleotide.

“Cleavage” refers to the breakage of the covalent backbone of a DNAmolecule. Cleavage can be initiated by a variety of methods including,but not limited to, enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of a phosphodiesterbond. Both single-stranded cleavage and double-stranded cleavage arepossible, and double-stranded cleavage can occur as a result of twodistinct single-stranded cleavage events. DNA cleavage can result in theproduction of either blunt ends or staggered ends. In certainembodiments, fusion polypeptides are used for targeted double-strandedDNA cleavage.

A “cleavage domain” comprises one or more polypeptide sequences whichpossesses catalytic activity for DNA cleavage. A cleavage domain can becontained in a single polypeptide chain or cleavage activity can resultfrom the association of two (or more) polypeptides. A “cleavagehalf-domain” is a polypeptide sequence which, in conjunction with asecond polypeptide (either identical or different) forms a complexhaving cleavage activity (preferably double-strand cleavage activity).The terms “first and second cleavage half-domains;” “+ and − cleavagehalf-domains” and “right and left cleavage half-domains” are usedinterchangeably to refer to pairs of cleavage half-domains thatdimerize.

An “engineered cleavage half-domain” is a cleavage half-domain that hasbeen modified so as to form obligate heterodimers with another cleavagehalf-domain (e.g., another engineered cleavage half-domain). See, also,U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 20050064474 and 20060188987 and U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/808,486 (filed May 25, 2006),incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

“Chromatin” is the nucleoprotein structure comprising the cellulargenome. Cellular chromatin comprises nucleic acid, primarily DNA, andprotein, including histones and non-histone chromosomal proteins. Themajority of eukaryotic cellular chromatin exists in the form ofnucleosomes, wherein a nucleosome core comprises approximately 150 basepairs of DNA associated with an octamer comprising two each of histonesH2A, H2B, H3 and H4; and linker DNA (of variable length depending on theorganism) extends between nucleosome cores. A molecule of histone H1 isgenerally associated with the linker DNA. For the purposes of thepresent disclosure, the term “chromatin” is meant to encompass all typesof cellular nucleoprotein, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic. Cellularchromatin includes both chromosomal and episomal chromatin.

A “chromosome,” is a chromatin complex comprising all or a portion ofthe genome of a cell. The genome of a cell is often characterized by itskaryotype, which is the collection of all the chromosomes that comprisethe genome of the cell. The genome of a cell can comprise one or morechromosomes.

An “episome” is a replicating nucleic acid, nucleoprotein complex orother structure comprising a nucleic acid that is not part of thechromosomal karyotype of a cell. Examples of episomes include plasmidsand certain viral genomes.

An “accessible region” is a site in cellular chromatin in which a targetsite present in the nucleic acid can be bound by an exogenous moleculewhich recognizes the target site. Without wishing to be bound by anyparticular theory, it is believed that an accessible region is one thatis not packaged into a nucleosomal structure. The distinct structure ofan accessible region can often be detected by its sensitivity tochemical and enzymatic probes, for example, nucleases.

A “target site” or “target sequence” is a nucleic acid sequence thatdefines a portion of a nucleic acid to which a binding molecule willbind, provided sufficient conditions for binding exist. For example, thesequence 5′ GAATTC 3′ is a target site for the Eco RI restrictionendonuclease.

An “exogenous” molecule is a molecule that is not normally present in acell, but can be introduced into a cell by one or more genetic,biochemical or other methods. “Normal presence in the cell” isdetermined with respect to the particular developmental stage andenvironmental conditions of the cell. Thus, for example, a molecule thatis present only during embryonic development of muscle is an exogenousmolecule with respect to an adult muscle cell. Similarly, a moleculeinduced by heat shock is an exogenous molecule with respect to anon-heat-shocked cell. An exogenous molecule can comprise, for example,a functioning version of a malfunctioning endogenous molecule or amalfunctioning version of a normally-functioning endogenous molecule.

An exogenous molecule can be, among other things, a small molecule, suchas is generated by a combinatorial chemistry process, or a macromoleculesuch as a protein, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, lipid, glycoprotein,lipoprotein, polysaccharide, any modified derivative of the abovemolecules, or any complex comprising one or more of the above molecules.Nucleic acids include DNA and RNA, can be single- or double-stranded;can be linear, branched or circular; and can be of any length. Nucleicacids include those capable of forming duplexes, as well astriplex-forming nucleic acids. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,176,996 and 5,422,251. Proteins include, but are not limited to,DNA-binding proteins, transcription factors, chromatin remodelingfactors, methylated DNA binding proteins, polymerases, methylases,demethylases, acetylases, deacetylases, kinases, phosphatases,integrases, recombinases, ligases, topoisomerases, gyrases andhelicases.

An exogenous molecule can be the same type of molecule as an endogenousmolecule, e.g., an exogenous protein or nucleic acid. For example, anexogenous nucleic acid can comprise an infecting viral genome, a plasmidor episome introduced into a cell, or a chromosome that is not normallypresent in the cell. Methods for the introduction of exogenous moleculesinto cells are known to those of skill in the art and include, but arenot limited to, lipid-mediated transfer (i.e., liposomes, includingneutral and cationic lipids), electroporation, direct injection, cellfusion, particle bombardment, calcium phosphate co-precipitation,DEAE-dextran-mediated transfer and viral vector-mediated transfer.

By contrast, an “endogenous” molecule is one that is normally present ina particular cell at a particular developmental stage under particularenvironmental conditions. For example, an endogenous nucleic acid cancomprise a chromosome, the genome of a mitochondrion, chloroplast orother organelle, or a naturally-occurring episomal nucleic acid.Additional endogenous molecules can include proteins, for example,transcription factors and enzymes.

A “fusion” molecule is a molecule in which two or more subunit moleculesare linked, preferably covalently. The subunit molecules can be the samechemical type of molecule, or can be different chemical types ofmolecules. Examples of the first type of fusion molecule include, butare not limited to, fusion proteins (for example, a fusion between a ZFPDNA-binding domain and a cleavage domain) and fusion nucleic acids (forexample, a nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein described supra).Examples of the second type of fusion molecule include, but are notlimited to, a fusion between a triplex-forming nucleic acid and apolypeptide, and a fusion between a minor groove binder and a nucleicacid.

Expression of a fusion protein in a cell can result from delivery of thefusion protein to the cell or by delivery of a polynucleotide encodingthe fusion protein to a cell, wherein the polynucleotide is transcribed,and the transcript is translated, to generate the fusion protein.Trans-splicing, polypeptide cleavage and polypeptide ligation can alsobe involved in expression of a protein in a cell. Methods forpolynucleotide and polypeptide delivery to cells are presented elsewherein this disclosure.

A “gene,” for the purposes of the present disclosure, includes a DNAregion encoding a gene product (see infra), as well as all DNA regionswhich regulate the production of the gene product, whether or not suchregulatory sequences are adjacent to coding and/or transcribedsequences. Accordingly, a gene includes, but is not necessarily limitedto, promoter sequences, terminators, translational regulatory sequencessuch as ribosome binding sites and internal ribosome entry sites,enhancers, silencers, insulators, boundary elements, replicationorigins, matrix attachment sites and locus control regions.

“Gene expression” refers to the conversion of the information, containedin a gene, into a gene product. A gene product can be the directtranscriptional product of a gene (e.g., mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, antisenseRNA, ribozyme, structural RNA or any other type of RNA) or a proteinproduced by translation of a mRNA. Gene products also include RNAs whichare modified, by processes such as capping, polyadenylation,methylation, and editing, and proteins modified by, for example,methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination,ADP-ribosylation, myristilation, and glycosylation.

“Modulation” of gene expression refers to a change in the activity of agene. Modulation of expression can include, but is not limited to, geneactivation and gene repression.

“Eucaryotic” cells include, but are not limited to, fungal cells (suchas yeast), plant cells, animal cells, mammalian cells and human cells(e.g., T-cells).

A “region of interest” is any region of cellular chromatin, such as, forexample, a gene or a non-coding sequence within or adjacent to a gene,in which it is desirable to bind an exogenous molecule. Binding can befor the purposes of targeted DNA cleavage and/or targeted recombination.A region of interest can be present in a chromosome, an episome, anorganellar genome (e.g., mitochondrial, chloroplast), or an infectingviral genome, for example. A region of interest can be within the codingregion of a gene, within transcribed non-coding regions such as, forexample, leader sequences, trailer sequences or introns, or withinnon-transcribed regions, either upstream or downstream of the codingregion. A region of interest can be as small as a single nucleotide pairor up to 2,000 nucleotide pairs in length, or any integral value ofnucleotide pairs.

The terms “operative linkage” and “operatively linked” (or “operablylinked”) are used interchangeably with reference to a juxtaposition oftwo or more components (such as sequence elements), in which thecomponents are arranged such that both components function normally andallow the possibility that at least one of the components can mediate afunction that is exerted upon at least one of the other components. Byway of illustration, a transcriptional regulatory sequence, such as apromoter, is operatively linked to a coding sequence if thetranscriptional regulatory sequence controls the level of transcriptionof the coding sequence in response to the presence or absence of one ormore transcriptional regulatory factors. A transcriptional regulatorysequence is generally operatively linked in cis with a coding sequence,but need not be directly adjacent to it. For example, an enhancer is atranscriptional regulatory sequence that is operatively linked to acoding sequence, even though they are not contiguous.

With respect to fusion polypeptides, the term “operatively linked” canrefer to the fact that each of the components performs the same functionin linkage to the other component as it would if it were not so linked.For example, with respect to a fusion polypeptide in which a ZFPDNA-binding domain is fused to a cleavage domain, the ZFP DNA-bindingdomain and the cleavage domain are in operative linkage if, in thefusion polypeptide, the ZFP DNA-binding domain portion is able to bindits target site and/or its binding site, while the cleavage domain isable to cleave DNA in the vicinity of the target site.

A “functional fragment” of a protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid is aprotein, polypeptide or nucleic acid whose sequence is not identical tothe full-length protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid, yet retains thesame function as the full-length protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid. Afunctional fragment can possess more, fewer, or the same number ofresidues as the corresponding native molecule, and/or can contain one ormore amino acid or nucleotide substitutions. Methods for determining thefunction of a nucleic acid (e.g., coding function, ability to hybridizeto another nucleic acid) are well-known in the art. Similarly, methodsfor determining protein function are well-known. For example, theDNA-binding function of a polypeptide can be determined, for example, byfilter-binding, electrophoretic mobility-shift, or immunoprecipitationassays. DNA cleavage can be assayed by gel electrophoresis. See Ausubelet al., supra. The ability of a protein to interact with another proteincan be determined, for example, by co-immunoprecipitation, two-hybridassays or complementation, both genetic and biochemical. See, forexample, Fields et al. (1989) Nature 340:245-246; U.S. Pat. No.5,585,245 and PCT WO 98/44350.

Design of Zinc Finger DNA-Binding Domains

Construction of zinc finger nucleases is described, for example, in U.S.Patent Application Publications 2003-0232410, 2005-0026157, 2005-0064474and 2005-0208489, the disclosures of which are incorporated by referencein their entireties. Briefly, a non-naturally-occurring zinc fingerDNA-binding domain, comprising 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more zinc fingers, isengineered to bind to a predetermined target nucleotide sequence. Theengineered zinc finger binding domain is fused to a nuclease domain, acleavage domain or a cleavage half-domain to form a zinc finger nucleasecapable of DNA cleavage at or near the target nucleotide sequence. Incertain embodiments, following conceptual design of the zinc fingerDNA-binding domain, a polynucleotide encoding the zinc finger nucleaseis constructed, using standard molecular biological methods.

Zinc finger nucleases, for facilitating mutagenesis of the humanglucocorticoid receptor gene, are designed and synthesized as follows.The nucleotide sequences of relevant portions of the humanglucocorticoid receptor gene are obtained. The sequences thus obtainedare scanned, optionally using a computer program containing a listing ofindividual zinc fingers and their target sites and/or a listing oftwo-finger modules and their target sites, for a pair of targetsequences, separated by 5-6 nucleotide pairs, wherein each targetsequence can be bound by a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-finger zinc finger protein.See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,613; WO 98/53057; WO 01/53480 andU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0092000. Additional methodsfor ZFP design are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,789,538;6,013,453; 6,410,248; 6,733,970; 6,746,838; 6,785,613; 6,866,997;7,030,215; WO 01/088197; WO 02/099084; and US Patent ApplicationPublications 2003/0044957; 2003/0108880; 2003/0134318 and 2004/0128717.

For each target sequence identified in the previous step, a geneencoding a fusion between a FokI cleavage half-domain and a zinc fingerprotein that binds to the target sequence is synthesized. See, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,150; WO 2005/084190 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0064474. Each fusion protein can betested for the affinity with which it binds to its target sequence,using an ELISA assay as described, for example, by Bartsevich et al.(2003) Stem Cells 21:632-637. Proteins having target sequence bindingaffinities which exceed a predetermined threshold value can subjected tofurther testing in a cell-based reporter assay.

Optionally, the binding specificity of one or more fusion proteins asdescribed above can be assessed and, if necessary, improved, byalteration (including randomization) of one or more amino acid residuesfollowed by a phage display assay against the target sequence (see, forexample, WO 96/06166), and/or by methods of iterative optimizationdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,794,136.

Cell-based testing is conducted as described, for example, in Urnov etal. (2005) Nature 435:646-651 and U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2005/0064474. Briefly, a target sequence pair, identified asdescribed above, is inserted into a defective chromosomal greenfluorescent protein (GFP) gene, under the transcriptional control of adoxycycline-inducible promoter, in an appropriate cell line. Cells aretransfected with nucleic acids encoding two zinc finger/FokI fusionproteins (each of which binds to one of the target sequences) and with anucleic acid containing sequences that, if they serve as template forhomology-directed repair of the defective chromosomal GFP gene, willreconstitute a functional GFP gene. Cells in which homology-directedrepair has occurred can be identified and quantitated byfluorescence-activated cell sorting, following induction withdoxycycline.

Zinc Finger Binding Domains Targeted to the Human GlucocorticoidReceptor Gene

Methods for inactivation of GR disclosed herein utilize zinc fingernucleases, comprising (1) a zinc finger DNA-binding domain which hasbeen engineered to bind a target sequence of choice and (2) a cleavagedomain or cleavage half-domain. Any such zinc finger nuclease having atarget site in a human GR gene can be used in the disclosed methods.Alternatively, any pair of zinc finger nucleases, each comprising acleavage half-domain, whose target sequences are separated by theappropriate number of nucleotides, can also be used. See, for example,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005-0064474; Smith et al.(2000) Nucleic Acids Res. 28:3361-3369 and Bibikova et al. (2001) Mol.Cell. Biol. 21:289-297.

Exemplary zinc finger binding domains having target sites in the humanGR gene are disclosed in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 provides the targetsequences of the exemplary binding domains and the location of thosetarget sites in the GR gene. Table 2 shows the amino acid sequences ofthe engineered recognition regions (responsible for DNA-bindingspecificity) of these binding domains. Zinc finger sequences are shownin amino-to-carboxy order, with F1 denoting the zinc finger nearest theamino terminus of the protein.

TABLE 1 Target Sequences for GR-Targeted ZFNs Name¹ Target Sequence²Location³ 8718, 9967 GACCTGtTGATAG nt 778-790 sense (exon 2) (SEQ IDNO:1) 8893 GACCTGtTGATAGATG nt 778-793 sense (exon 2) (SEQ ID NO:2)8719, 10415, 10404 TCCAAGGACTCT nt 761-772 antisense (exon 2) (SEQ IDNO:3) 8667, 9666 CAACAGGACCAC nt 1370-1381 sense (exon 3) (SEQ ID NO:4)8668, 8669, 9671, 9674, GTTGAGGAGCTG nt 1353-1364 antisense (exon 3)10201, 10205 (SEQ ID NO:5) 8531, 9737, 9846 AATGAGTAAGTTG nt 2020-2023sense (exon 6) + (SEQ ID NO:6) first 9 nt in intron 6 8653 TCAGATCAGGAGnt 2003-2014 antisense (exon 6) (SEQ ID NO:7) ¹Each zinc finger bindingdomain is represented by a four- or five-digit number. Relevant aminoacid sequences of these binding domains are shown in TABLE 2.²Nucleotides in uppercase represent those present in target subsitesbound by individual zinc fingers; nucleotides indicated in lowercase arenot present in a subsite. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,242 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005-0064474 (both incorporated byreference) for a description of target subsites. ³Locations in the humanglucocorticoid receptor locus are given with respect to the publishedsequence of the GRα mRNA. Hollenberg, S.M. et al. (1985). Nature318(6047): 635-41; GenBank accession number X03225.

TABLE 2 Amino Acid Sequences of Recognition Regions of GR-Targeted ZFNsName F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Exon 2  8718 RSDYLST QNAHRKT RSDVLSA DRSNRIK (SEQ IDNO:8) (SEQ ID NO:9) (SEQ ID NO:10) (SEQ ID NO:11)  9967 RSDYLST QRSHRNTRSDVLSA DRSNRIK (SEQ ID NO:8) (SEQ ID NO:12) (SEQ ID NO:10) (SEQ IDNO:11)  8893 RSDALTQ RSDYLST QNAHRKT RSDVLSE DRSNLTR (SEQ ID NO:13) (SEQID NO:8) (SEQ ID NO:9) (SEQ ID NO:14) (SEQ ID NO:15)  8719 DSDHLTEDRANLSR RSDNLSN TNSNRIK (SEQ ID NO:16) (SEQ ID NO:17) (SEQ ID NO:18)(SEQ ID NO:19) 10404  TSSDRKK DRANLSR RSDTLRC TNSNRIK (SEQ ID NO:20)(SEQ ID NO:17) (SEQ ID NO:21) (SEQ ID NO:19) 10415  TSSDRKK DRANLSRRSDNLSN ERRSLRY (SEQ ID NO:20) (SEQ ID NO:17) (SEQ ID NO:18) (SEQ IDNO:22) Exon 3  8667 TSRALTA DRANLSR RSDNLSE QNANRKT (SEQ ID NO:23) (SEQID NO:17) (SEQ ID NO:24) (SEQ ID NO:25)  9666 TSRALTA DRANLSR RSDNLSEERANRNS (SEQ ID NO:23) (SEQ ID NO:17) (SEQ ID NO:24) (SEQ ID NO:26) 8668 RSDVLSE RSANLTR RSDNLST HSHARIK (SEQ ID NO:14) (SEQ ID NO:27) (SEQID NO:28) (SEQ ID NO:29)  8669 RSDVLSE RSANLTR TSGNLTR TSGSLTR (SEQ IDNO:14) (SEQ ID NO:27) (SEQ ID NO:30) (SEQ ID NO:31)  9671 DGWNRDCRSANLTR TSGNLTR TSGSLTR (SEQ ID NO:32) (SEQ ID NO:27) (SEQ ID NO:30)(SEQ ID NO:31)  9674 DSWNLQV RSANLTR TSGNLTR TSGSLTR (SEQ ID NO:33) (SEQID NO:27) (SEQ ID NO:30) (SEQ ID NO:31) 10201  TNRDLND DRANLSR RSDNLSEERANRNS (SEQ ID NO:34) (SEQ ID NO:17) (SEQ ID NO:24) (SEQ ID NO:26)10205  NRKNLRQ DRANLSR RSDNLSE ERANRNS (SEQ ID NO:35) (SEQ ID NO:17)(SEQ ID NO:24) (SEQ ID NO:26) Exon 6  8531 RSDSLSA RNDNRKT RSDNLSRTNQNRIT (SEQ ID NO:36) (SEQ ID NO:37) (SEQ ID NO:38) (SEQ ID NO:39) 9737 RQDCLSL RNDNRKT RSDNLSR TNQNRIT (SEQ ID NO:40) (SEQ ID NO:37) (SEQID NO:38) (SEQ ID NO:39)  9846 HKHVLDN RNDNRKT RSDNLSR TNQNRIT (SEQ IDNO:41) (SEQ ID NO:37) (SEQ ID NO:38) (SEQ ID NO:39)  8653 RSANLARRSDNLRE QSSNLAR QSADRTK (SEQ ID NO:42) (SEQ ID NO:43) (SEQ ID NO:44)(SEQ ID NO:45)

Cleavage Domains

Any zinc finger that binds to a target site in a GR gene can be combinedwith a nuclease to form a zinc finger nuclease. As noted above, anycleavage domain or cleavage half-domain can be used in the zinc fingernucleases described herein. See, U.S. Patent Publication 2005-0064474.Thus, the cleavage domain portion of the fusion proteins disclosedherein can be obtained from any endo- or exonuclease. Exemplaryendonucleases from which a cleavage domain can be derived include, butare not limited to, restriction endonucleases and homing endonucleases.See, for example, 2002-2003 Catalogue, New England Biolabs, Beverly,Mass.; and Belfort et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3379-3388.Additional enzymes which cleave DNA are known (e.g., S1 Nuclease; mungbean nuclease; pancreatic DNase I; micrococcal nuclease; yeast HOendonuclease; see also Linn et al. (eds.) Nucleases, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory Press, 1993). One or more of these enzymes (or functionalfragments thereof) can be used as a source of cleavage domains andcleavage half-domains. In certain embodiments, the cleavage domain isobtained from a nuclease that has separable binding and cleavagedomains, for example a yeast HO endonuclease.

Exemplary cleavage half-domains can be obtained from any endonuclease.In certain embodiments, the cleavage half-domain is obtained from anuclease that has separable binding and cleavage domains, for example aType IIS restriction endonuclease such as FokI. In addition, engineeredcleavage half-domains (also referred to as dimerization domain mutants)that minimize or prevent homodimerization are described, for example, inU.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005-0064474 and 2006-0188987,incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. Amino acidresidues at positions 446, 447, 479, 483, 484, 486, 487, 490, 491, 496,498, 499, 500, 531, 534, 537, and 538 of Fok I are all targets forinfluencing dimerization of the Fok I cleavage half-domains.

Described herein are additional engineered cleavage half-domains of FokI that form an obligate heterodimer. The first cleavage half-domainincludes mutations at amino acid residues at positions 490 (E in thewild-type sequence, underlined below) and 538 (I in the wild-typesequence, underlined below) of Fok I and the second cleavage half-domainincludes mutations at amino acid residues 486 (Q in the wild-typesequence, underlined below) and 499 (I in the wild-type sequence,underlined below).

Wild type FokI cleavage half domain (SEQ ID NO:46)QLVKSELEEKKSELRHKLKYVPHEYIELIEIARNSTQDRILEMKVMEFFMKVYGYRGKHLGGSRKPDGAIYTVGSPIDYGVIVDTKAYSGGYNLPIGQAD EM Q RYV E ENQTRNKH INPNEWWKVYPSSVTEFKFLFVSGHFKGNYKAQLT RLNH ITNCNGAVLSVEELLIGGEMIKAGTLTLEEVRRKFNNGEINF E490K: I538K dimerizationmutant (SEQ ID NO:47) QLVKSELEEKKSELRHKLKYVPHEYIELIEIARNSTQDRILEMKVMEFFMKVYGYRGKHLGGSRKPDGAIYTVGSPIDYGVIVDTKAYSGGYNLPIGQAD EMQRYV KENQTRNKHINPNEWWKVYPSSVTEFKFLFVSGHFKGNYKAQLT RLNH KTNCNGAVLSVEELLIGGEMIKAGTLTLEEVRRKFNNGEINF Q486E: I499L dimerizationmutant (SEQ ID NO:48) QLVKSELEEKKSELRHKLKYVPHEYIELIEIARNSTQDRILEMKVMEFFMKVYGYRGKHLGGSRKPDGAIYTVGSPIDYGVIVDTKAYSGGYNLPIGQAD EM E RYVEENQTRNKH LNPNEWWKVYPSSVTEFKFLFVSGHFKGNYKAQLTRLNHITNCNGAVLSVEELLIGGEMIKAGTLTLEEVRRKFNNGEINF

As shown above, the mutation at 490 replaces Glu (E) with Lys (K); themutation at 538 replaces Ile (I) with Lys (K); the mutation at 486replaces Gln (Q) with Glu (E); and the mutation at position 499 replacesIle (I) with Leu (L). Specifically, the engineered cleavage half-domainsdescribed herein were prepared by mutating positions 490 (E→K) and 538(I→K) in one cleavage half-domain to produce an engineered cleavagehalf-domain designated “E490K:I538K” as shown above, and by mutatingpositions 486 (Q→E) and 499 (I→L) in another cleavage half-domain toproduce an engineered cleavage half-domain designated “Q486E:I499L” asshown above. These mutations result in a diminished ability of twocleavage half-domains containing the E490K:I538K mutations to form ahomodimer, (compared to wild-type FokI cleavage half-domains);similarly, two cleavage half-domains containing the Q486E:I499Lmutations are also unable to form a homodimer. However, a cleavagehalf-domain containing the E490K:I538K mutation is capable of forming aheterodimer with a cleavage half-domain containing the Q486E:I499Lmutations to reconstitute a functional cleavage domain capable ofdouble-strand DNA cleavage. Furthermore, heterodimerization betweenE490K:I538K- and Q486E:I499L-containing cleavage half-domains occurswith an efficiency similar to that of dimerization between wild-typeFokI cleavage half-domains. Thus, the engineered cleavage half-domainsdescribed herein are obligate heterodimer mutants in which aberrantcleavage is minimized or abolished.

Engineered cleavage half-domains described herein can be prepared usingany suitable method, for example, by site-directed mutagenesis ofwild-type cleavage half-domains (e.g., Fok I) as described in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2005-0064474 (Example 5) and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/493,423 (Example 38), incorporated byreference in their entireties herein.

Methods of Treatment

In certain types of cancer immunotherapy, T-cells are engineered toexpress cell-surface proteins that recognize tumor cell-specificantigens, and these engineered T-cells are introduced into a subject.For example, glioblastoma patients, who have tumor cells thatoverexpress an IL-13 receptor on their surface, can be treated,following surgical resection of the tumor(s), with cytolytic T-cellsthat express a “zetakine” tethered to their cell surface. Zetakines arechimeric transmembrane immunoreceptors, comprised of an extracellulardomain comprising a soluble receptor ligand linked to a support regioncapable of tethering the extracellular domain to a cell surface, atransmembrane region and an intracellular signaling domain. Whenexpressed on the surface of T lymphocytes, such chimeric receptorsdirect T cell activity to those specific cells expressing a receptor forwhich the soluble receptor ligand is specific.

For treatment of gliomas and glioblastomas, zetakines are targeted tocells expressing IL-13 receptors. Thus, a zetakine can constitute aglioma-specific immunoreceptor comprising the extracellular targetingdomain of the IL-13Ralpha.2-specific IL-13 mutant IL-13(E13Y) linked tothe Fc region of IgG, the transmembrane domain of human CD4, and thehuman CD3 zeta chain. T-cells expressing such a zetakine are able todetect and kill IL-13-overexpressing glioma and glioblastoma tumor cellsremaining after surgical tumor resection. See, for example, Kahlon, K.S. et al. (2004) Cancer Res. 64:9160-9166 and US patent applicationpublication numbers 2006-0067920, 2005-0129671, and 2003-0171546, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entiretiesfor all purposes.

However, the clinical use of this approach is hampered by the fact thatbrain tumor patients must also be treated with glucocorticoid hormonesfollowing tumor resection, to prevent inflammation and swelling of thebrain. This glucocorticoid treatment inhibits activation of thezetakine-containing T-cells, thus preventing their cell-killingactivity.

The methods and compositions disclosed herein make it possible toeradicate GR function in the zetakine-containing T-cells, thereby makingthem resistant to the inhibitory effect of glucocorticoids. Accordingly,by use of the disclosed methods and compositions, the post-surgicalglioblastoma patient can be treated both with glucocorticoids (toprevent swelling and inflammation) and with the zetakine-containingT-cells, to remove residual tumor cells. Indeed, inactivation of the GRgene in the T-cells can be accomplished by targeted integration of asequence encoding the zetakine into the GR locus, accomplishing bothobjectives in a single step.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, GR-targeted zinc finger nucleasesare expressed in T-cells and cleave at a site in the GR locus. Cellscontaining GR-targeted zinc finger nucleases are optionally contactedwith a donor DNA molecule which encodes a zetakine, such that thezetakine-encoding sequences are integrated into the GR locus, therebyinactivating GR function in those cells.

Additional Applications

Treatment of patients with engineered T-cells or isolated T-cells iscompromised if these patients are also treated with immune-suppressantdrugs such as decadrone. However, modification of such therapeuticimmune cells, using ZFNs targeting the GR locus to inactivate GRfunction as disclosed herein, allows generation of a population ofimmune cells that is not subject to glucocorticoid-mediated immunesuppression. The high efficiency of the methods described herein allowssimultaneous disruption of both alleles of the GR gene in the absence ofa selection marker, which is not possible with any other technique. Thespeed with which mutations in both alleles of the GR gene (includinghomozygous deletions) can be obtained is also an important considerationsince T-cells, like all primary cells, have a limited replicationpotential and therefore a finite lifespan.

The methods disclosed herein for modification of the sequence of the GRlocus in human cells allow generation of pools of cells containing asubstantial number of cells lacking GR function and also allow isolationof clonal cell lines lacking GR activity. Such cells include but are notlimited to T-cells and other cells of the immune system (e.g., B-cells,NK cells, memory cells, macrophages) all of which are normally preventedfrom undergoing proper activation in the presence of glucocorticoidhormones, due to the action of the glucocorticoid receptor.

As discussed above, one application of these methods is the use of ZFNsto render zetakine expressing T-cells, which target brain tumor cells,non-responsive to glucocorticoids. Other examples include ZFN-mediatedinactivation of GR in T-cells used for treating opportunisticinfections, e.g., in transplant patients receiving immunosuppressants,or in other immunocompromised patients.

Additional clinical complications of undesired GR activity can also bealleviated by inactivation of GR activity in a specific target cellpopulation. In this context, it is noted that the pleiotropic activityof the GR is based, in part, on the existence of multiple receptorisoforms generated from the same gene. See, for example, Zhou, J. et al.(2005) Steroids 70:407-417. The single nucleotide-level resolution ofZFN-mediated GR gene modifications described herein, in combination withtissue-specific ZFN expression, (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No.6,534,261 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005-0064474, bothincorporated by reference) together enable disruption of specificreceptor isoforms in specific tissues: an approach that is not possiblewith any other technology. In addition, alteration of the sequence ofthe GR gene using ZFNs can be used to replace the wild-type GR with anisoform that is regulated exclusively by a specific ligand of choice.

Conversely, in patients with mutations in the GR locus, ZFN-mediatedgenome editing can be used to restore GR activity in a target tissue ofchoice, either through correction of the mutation itself or by targetedinsertion of a sequence (e.g., cDNA) encoding a functional GR.

The methods and compositions disclosed herein can also be used togenerate cell lines for research applications, drug screening and targetvalidation. For instance, abolishing GR function in a cell line ofchoice, using ZFNs as disclosed herein, allows generation of a matchedpair of isogenic cell lines that differ only in the presence or absenceof GR function. As another example, insertion of a reporter gene intothe GR locus, or fusion of a reporter to the GR protein, will facilitatehigh-resolution studies of the properties and regulation of theglucocorticoid receptor. Such lines can be used for research purposes,as well as for industrial applications such as target validation anddrug screening. Similarly, ZFN-mediated gene correction can be used tointroduce specific changes into the GR locus to generate cell lines forstudying the function of various receptor domains or isoforms.

Finally, in cases in which inactivation of the GR locus is not the mainpurpose of the intervention, but would have no negative effects on themodified cells, the GR locus can be used as a “safe harbor” integrationsite for any transgene in any gene therapy application. Thus, thedisclosure also provides methods of selection for cells into which anexogenous sequence has been integrated into a GR gene. The methodsinvolve cleaving an endogenous GR gene in a cell with ZFNs as describedherein and introducing an exogenous sequence (e.g., transgene),typically on a donor construct with GR-homology arms, into the cellsunder conditions such that the exogenous sequence is integrated into theGR gene. Cells with the integrated exogenous sequence can then beselected for by exposing the cells to a naturally occurring or syntheticcorticosteriod (e.g., cortisol, dexamethasone, etc.), which kills cellswithout the integrated sequence (cells with normal GR expression). See,also, Example 4.

Vectors for Delivery of Zinc Finger Nucleases and Donor DNA Sequences

Any vector can be used for delivery, to a cell, of DNA sequencesencoding zinc finger nucleases and/or delivery of donor DNA. Exemplaryviral vectors include adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses,poxviruses, herpesviruses, papovaviruses, retroviruses and lentiviruses.DNA can also be delivered to cells by transfection, electroporation,lipid-mediated methods, biolistics and calcium phosphate-mediatedtransfer.

Because the methods and compositions disclosed herein utilize atransient event (ZFN-mediated double-strand cleavage) to effect apermanent genomic alteration (e.g., targeted mutation or targetedintegration of exogenous sequences), it is not necessary to use adelivery vector that persists in the cells. Accordingly, non-replicatingviral vectors can be used as delivery vehicles. Thus,replication-defective adenoviruses, hybrid adenoviruses (e.g., Ad 5/35)and non-integrating lentivirus vectors are all suitable as deliveryvehicles.

Non-limiting examples of adenovirus (Ad) vectors that can be used in thepresent application include recombinant (such as E1 deleted),conditionally replication competent (such as oncolytic) and/orreplication competent Ad vectors derived from human or non-humanserotypes (e.g., Ad5, Ad11, Ad35, or porcine adenovirus-3); chimeric Advectors (such as Ad5/35) or tropism-altered Ad vectors with engineeredfiber knob proteins (such as peptide insertions within the HI loop ofthe knob protein); and/or “gutless” Ad vectors, e.g., an Ad vector inwhich all adenovirus genes from the Ad genome have been removed toreduce immunogenicity and to increase the size of the DNA payload toallow simultaneous delivery of both ZFNs and donor molecule, especiallylarge transgenes to be integrated via targeted integration.

Replication-deficient recombinant adenoviral vectors (Ad) can beproduced at high titer and readily infect a number of different celltypes. Most adenovirus vectors are engineered such that a transgenereplaces the Ad E1a, E1b, and/or E3 genes; subsequently the replicationdefective vector is propagated in human 293 cells that supply deletedgene function in trans. Ad vectors can transduce multiple types oftissues in vivo, including nondividing, differentiated cells such asthose found in liver, kidney and muscle. Conventional Ad vectors have alarge carrying capacity. An example of the use of an Ad vector in aclinical trial involved polynucleotide therapy for antitumorimmunization with intramuscular injection. Sterman et al. (1998) Hum.Gene Ther. 7:1083-1089.

Additional examples of the use of adenovirus vectors for gene transferin clinical trials include Welsh et al. (1995) Hum. Gene Ther.2:205-218; Rosenecker et al. (1996) Infection 24:5-10; Alvarez et al.(1997) Hum. Gene Ther. 5:597-613 and Topf et al. (1998) Gene Ther.5:507-513.

In certain embodiments, the Ad vector is chimeric adenovirus vector,containing sequences from two or more different adenovirus genomes. Forexample, the Ad vector can be an Ad5/35 vector. Ad5/35 is created byreplacing the fiber protein of Ad5 with the fiber protein from B groupAd35. The Ad5/35 vector and characteristics of this vector aredescribed, for example, in Ni et al. (2005) Hum. Gene Ther. 16:664-677;Nilsson et al. (2004) Mol. Ther. 9:377-388; Nilsson et al. (2004) J.Gene. Med. 6:631-641; Schroers et al. (2004) Exp. Hematol. 32:536-546;Seshidhar et al. (2003) Virology 311:384-393; Shayakhmetov et al. (2000)J. Virol. 74:2567-2583 and Sova et al. (2004) Mol. Ther. 9:496-509.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented as illustrative of, but notlimiting, the claimed subject matter.

Example 1 Construction of Plasmid Delivery Vehicles Encoding Zinc FingerNucleases Targeted to a Human GR Gene

Target sites for zinc finger DNA-binding domains were selected byscanning the sequence of the human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene,optionally using a computer program containing a listing of individualzinc fingers and their target sites and/or a listing of two-fingermodules and their target sites, for a pair of target sequences,separated by 5-6 nucleotide pairs, wherein each target sequence can bebound by a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-finger zinc finger protein. See, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,613; WO 98/53057; WO 01/53480 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2003/0092000. Additional methods for ZFPdesign are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,789,538;6,013,453; 6,410,248; 6,733,970; 6,746,838; 6,785,613; 6,866,997;7,030,215; WO 01/088197; WO 02/099084; and US Patent ApplicationPublications 2003/0044957; 2003/0108880; 2003/0134318 and 2004/0128717.

For certain of the target sequences identified in the previous step, agene encoding a fusion between a FokI cleavage half-domain and a zincfinger protein that binds to the target sequence was synthesized. See,for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,150; WO 2005/084190 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0064474.

Standard molecular biological methods were used to construct such fusiongenes and introduce them into plasmids. Exemplary expression constructsare shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Example 2 Targeted Cleavage of a Human GR Gene Using Engineered ZincFinger Nucleases

K562 cells (ATCC No. CCL243) were cultured in RPMI medium (Invitrogen,Carlsbad, Calif.). At a density of 1×10⁶ cells/ml, 2×10⁶ cells werepelleted and transfected with 2.5 μg each of two ZFN expression vectors,using an Amaxa nucleofection device (Amaxa, Gaithersburg, Md.). One setof cells was transfected with plasmids encoding zinc finger nucleasescomprising the exon 3-targeted 9666 and 9674 binding domains (see Tables1 and 2). A second set of cells was transfected with plasmids encodingzinc finger nucleases comprising the exon 6-targeted 8653 and 9737binding domains (see Tables 1 and 2). Controls included cellstransfected with a plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) anduntransfected cells.

Three days after transfection, DNA was isolated from the cells using aDNeasy® kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.). This DNA (100 ng) was used astemplate for PCR amplification using primers specific for either exon 3or exon 6 of the GR locus (see Table 3). The amplification products weredenatured, then reannealed; and the reannealed products were exposed tothe mismatch-specific nuclease Cel-I (Transgenomic, Omaha, Nebr.).Products of Cel-I treatment were analyzed on a 10% polyacrylamide gel.If the population of amplification products is homogeneous with respectto nucleotide sequence, perfectly-matched duplexes, that are resistantto Cel-I cleavage, should be produced following denaturation andreannealing. If, on the other hand, the amplification products areheterogeneous due to the presence of insertions, deletions and/ormismatches in some of the amplification products, reannealing willgenerate some duplexes containing sequence mismatches, susceptible toCel-I cleavage. As a result, products smaller than the amplificationproduct will be detected on the gel.

TABLE 3 PCR primers in the human GR locus Exon 3 senseTCATAACACTGTTCTTCCCCTTCTTTAGCC (SEQ ID NO:49) Exon 3 antisenseTCAAAACACACACTACCTTCCACTGCTC (SEQ ID NO:50) Exon 6 senseACACCTGGATGACCAAATGACCCTAC (SEQ ID NO:51) Exon 6 antisenseCCTAGATACCTAGTAGGATTGTTTCAGTCCTG (SEQ ID NO:52)

The results are shown in FIG. 3. Amplification products of exon 3- andexon 6-specific DNA from untransfected cells, and from cells transfectedwith a plasmid encoding GFP, yield a single band after denaturation,reannealing and Cel I treatment (left and middle lanes, respectively, ofeach panel), indicative of a homogeneous population of amplificationproducts. By contrast, exon 3-specific amplification products from cellstransfected with plasmids encoding zinc finger nucleases having zincfinger DNA-binding domains with target sites in exon 3 (9666 and 9674)yield two smaller products after denaturation, reannealing and Cel Itreatment (left panel, rightmost lane). The presence of these smallerproducts indicates the existence of a sequence mismatch at a uniquelocation in the reannealed DNA. Similarly, exon 6-specific amplificationproducts from cells transfected with plasmids encoding zinc fingernucleases having zinc finger DNA-binding domains with target sites inexon 6 (8653 and 9737) yield two smaller products (of similar molecularweight), indicative of targeted cleavage in exon 6.

Example 3 Nature of Mutations Induced by Targeted Cleavage in a Human GRGene

CEM14 cells (a glucocorticoid-sensitive lymphoid cell line obtained fromM. Jensen, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, Calif.) were cultured inRPMI medium. At a density of 1×10⁶ cells/ml, 2×10⁶ cells were pelletedand transfected with plasmids encoding ZFNs with the exon 3-targeted8667 and 8668 DNA-binding domains (see Tables 1 and 2), using an Amaxanucleofection device. 2.5 μg of each plasmid was used. Cells lacking GRfunction were selected by exposure to 10⁻⁵ M dexamethasone for 14 days;and DNA isolated from dexamethasone-resistant cells was amplified by PCRusing GR exon 3-specific primers (see Table 3). The amplificationreaction mixture was fractionated on an agarose gel and a bandcorresponding in size to the expected amplification product (based onthe location of the primer sequences in the GR gene) was excised fromthe gel. DNA in this band was cloned using a Topo® cloning kit(Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) and nucleotide sequences of individualclones was determined.

In one clone, sequence analysis revealed the presence of atwo-nucleotide deletion near the site of targeted cleavage. In a secondclone, an 11-nucleotide deletion was detected. A third clone comprised amixture of sequences: one of which was a duplication of fournucleotides, the other of which was a 19-nucleotide deletion.

These results show that targeted cleavage of the GR gene, using zincfinger nucleases, induced both insertion and deletion mutations in thegene, all of which resulted in a change in the translational readingframe.

RNA analysis in these dexamethasone-resistant cells revealed lowerlevels of GR mRNA, compared to untransfected cells; indicative ofnonsense-mediated decay of aberrant GR transcripts.

Example 4 Introduction of a Transgene into the Human GR Locus

Glucocorticoid hormones trigger apoptosis or slow down cell growth inmany primary cells and cell lines. Glucocorticoid hormone treatment cantherefore be used in combination with ZFNs targeting the GR locus toselect or enrich for a) cells containing a ZFN mediated biallelicmutation of the GR locus, b) cells containing ZFN mediated targetedintegration of donor DNA sequences into both alleles of the GR locus,resulting in the inactivation of GR function or c) cells containing aZFN mediated GR mutation on one allele of the GR locus and ZFN mediatedtargeted integration on the other allele.

Sequences that can be integrated into the GR locus in this mannerinclude but are not limited to expression cassettes with any transgeneof choice. Potential benefits of using integration into the GR locusinclude but are not limited to a) avoiding the use of a selection markeron the donor molecule, b) long term stability of the expression of thetransgene from a locus compatible with high level gene expression andnot subjected to silencing, c) avoiding insertional mutagenesis eventsthat can occur upon random integration of transgenes. The followingexperiments were conducted using a zetakine transgene.

CEM14 cells were cultured in RPMI medium and transfected (as describedin previous examples), in separate experiments, with 25 μg of anexpression construct encoding the GR-targeted ZFNs 9666 and 9674 and azetakine transgene. The zetakine-donor ZFN construct was transfectedinto CEM14 cells and an aliquot of the transfected cells was incubatedwith dexamethasone (which kills cells having normal GR function) for 2weeks, while the remaining cells were left untreated. Untransfectedcells were used as controls and treated identically. After dexamethasonetreatment, targeted integration of the zetakine transgene into the GRlocus was detected by PCR (FIG. 4A) and by Southern blotting (FIG. 4B).Immunostaining shows high-level zetakine expression in the dexamethsoneselected CEM14 cells transfected with both the GR ZFNs and the zetakinedonor construct (not shown).

These results demonstrated that targeted integration of a donor sequencein the human GR gene was accomplished, that integration of the donorsequence inactivated GR function, and that normal function of atransgene contained in the donor sequence was obtained.

Example 5 GR Polypeptide Production after Targeted Integration of anExogenous Sequence in the GR Gene

CEM14 cells were cultured in RPMI medium and transfected as above with25 μg of an expression vector containing a zetakine cassette andencoding the GR exon 3-targeted ZFN pair 8667 and 8669, flanked byregions of homology to the GR gene. Two days after transfection, 10⁻⁶Mdexamethasone was added to the growth medium, andglucocorticoid-resistant clones were obtained after two weeks ofselection.

Protein extracts from transfected cells that survived the dexamethasonetreatment were prepared by whole cell lysis, and Western Blot analysiswas performed using an antibody to the human GR (Catalog number 611226,BD BioSciences Pharmingen, San Jose Calif.). Results are shown in FIG.5. A band corresponding to the wild-type receptor was detected inuntransfected CEM 14 cells (left lane), while a clone of CEM14 cellstreated with the ZFNs and the donor sequence contained no immunoreactivematerial corresponding to the size of the wild-type receptor; instead, aband corresponding in size to a truncated receptor form was detected(right lane).

Example 6 Targeted Cleavage of a Human GR Gene in CD8⁺ T-cells

Fresh human peripheral blood CD8⁺ T-Cells were obtained from AllCells(Berkeley, Calif.). 2×10⁶ cells were transfected, using an Amaxanucleofection device and protocol, with 5 μg of an expression plasmidencoding two zinc finger nucleases targeting exon 3 of the human GRlocus, in which the ZFN coding sequences were separated by a 2Asequence. Two exon 3-targeted ZFN pairs (9666-9671 and 9666-9674) weretested in separate transfections. Controls were untransfected cells andcells transfected with a plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein(GFP).

Transfected CD8⁺ cells were cultured for 48 hours in X-VIVO15 mediumcontaining 5% human serum (both purchased from Cambrex, Walkersville,Md.). Thereafter, DNA was isolated and Cel I analysis was performed asdescribed in Example 2 above, using exon 3-specific amplificationprimers, except that 5 μCi each of α-³²P-dCTP and α-³²P-dATP(Perkin-Elmer, Boston, Mass.) were added to the PCR reaction.

Following Cel I treatment, digestion products were fractionated on a 10%acrylamide gel. An autoradiographic image of the gel was developed usinga Storm PhosphorImager (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.). Results areshown in FIG. 6. Frequencies of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) weredetermined by quantitation of the Cel I cleavage products and areindicated in the rightmost two lanes of FIG. 6. Thus, GR-targeted ZFNsefficiently modify the GR locus in the CD8+ T-cells.

Example 7 Analysis of GR-ZFN-Treated CD-8⁺ T-Cells

A. ZFNs Generate Mutations at GR Locus

Fifty million human CD8+ T-cells cells expressing a zetakine transgene(‘IL-13 ZK Pool’) were stimulated at day 0 and infected at day 7 withAd5/F35 expressing the ZFN pair 9666 and 9674 at the followingmultiplicity of infections (mois): 10 (“ZFN10-”), 30 (“ZFN30-”) and 100(“ZFN100-”). As a control, CD8+ cells were also infected with a GFPexpressing Ad5/F35 virus at the same mois (“GFP10-”, “GFP30-”,“GFP100-”).

Cells were grown as described above and 7 days post-infection cells weretreated for 6 days with the glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone at aconcentration of 10⁻⁴ M in the absence of cytokines. The resulting cellpools (‘ZFN10’, ‘ZFN30’, ‘ZFN100’ and ‘GFP10’, ‘GFP30’, ‘GFP100’,respectively) were restimulated and 12 days after restimulation cellswere harvested. DNA was isolated and analyzed for modification of the GRlocus by PCR of the ZFN target region followed by the Cel I Surveyor™endonuclease assay as described in Example 2 above. As shown in FIG. 7,panels A and B, transient ZFN expression generated GC-Resistant CD8+T-cells with mutations at the GR locus.

The PCR products were also subcloned into the PCR4 TOPO vector and theinsert sequence analyzed using the T7 primer. Sequencing of the ZFNtarget region in exon 3 of the GR locus in cells pool ZFN100demonstrated that 70% of the GR alleles contained mutations in the ZFNbinding region. By contrast, no mutations were found in the GR alleleswhen cells had been infected with the GFP100 control virus.

Glucocorticoid hormone resistance of the CD8+ cell pools was alsodetermined by comparing cell viability before and after a secondtreatment with 10−4M Dexamethasone for 8 days. Viability was measuredusing the Guava cell analyzer. As shown in FIG. 8, ZFN treated cellsshowed increased resistance to glucocorticoid hormone.

B. GR Protein Expression in ZFN-Modified CD8+ T-Cells

ZFN-treated CD8+ T-cells were also tested for the presence offull-length GR protein.

In one experiment, protein extract from CD8+ cell pools described aboveand from the zetakine expressing CD8+ cell pool that was used for thevirus transduction (‘IL-13 ZK pool’) were analyzed by Western Blottingusing GR (BD BioSciences) and TFIIB (Santa Cruz Antibodies) antibodies.In addition a subclone (‘10A1’) of the ZFN 100 pool was analyzedalongside the cell pools. As shown in FIG. 9A, ZFN treated CD8+ T-cellsshowed a loss of GR protein as compared to controls.

In a separate experiment, expression of GR was also assessed in ZFNtreated CMV-targeted CD8+ subclones. In particular, GR-negative CD8+cells that target CMV were generated using ZFNs as described herein.Single cell derived subclones of these cells were isolated and proteinextracts were obtained from these clones as described above. Genotypingof 26 subclones identified 2 wildtype clones and 24 clones withmutations in the GR locus comprising the ZFN binding regions. As above,protein extracts were analyzed by Western Blotting with a human GRantibody (BD BioSciences). As shown in FIG. 9B, ZFN-treated CMV-targetedCD8+ clones showed loss of GR protein.

Thus, ZFNs as described herein can reduce or eliminate GR proteinexpression in primary cells.

C. RT-PCR

In addition, GR-negative (ZFN-treated) CD8+ T-cells were analyzed byRT-PCR to determine the effect of glucocorticoid addition on theexpression of known GR target genes. Results are shown in FIGS. 10A-10D.Cells were left untreated (“un”) or treated with 10⁻⁶M dexamethasone for20 hrs (“dex”) as indicated. RNA was isolated using standard protocols,and the mRNA levels of various glucocorticoid regulated genes analyzedby RT-PCR using the Taqman™ protocol (Applied Biosystems). RNA valuesfor GR target genes were corrected by the values for the GAPDHhousekeeping gene obtained from the same RNA sample. Taqman probes andprimers for GR target genes were obtained from Applied Biosystems. Asshown in FIGS. 10A-D, glucocorticoid hormone treatment affected thetarget genes less in ZFN-treated CD8+ T-cells.

D. Cytokine Release

Cytokine release from ZFN-treated CD8+ T-Cells stimulated with gliomacells was also evaluated. GFP100, ZFN100 and untreated CD8+ T-cell poolswere cultured alone or in the presence of U87MG glioblastoma stimulatorcells. Subsequently, 10⁻⁶M dexamethasone was added to the culture. After20 hrs, cell culture supernatants were harvested and IFN-γ levelsanalyzed using a commercially available ELISA kit (R&D systems).

As shown in FIG. 11, cytokine release by ZFN treated CD8+ T-cells uponstimulation with glioma cells was maintained and was rendered resistantto glucocorticoid hormones.

E. Chromium Release Assay For Cytolytic Activity

To analyze the cytolytic activity of ZFN treated CD8+ T-cells chromiumrelease assays were conducted at various ratios of effector (ZFN-treatedor control CD8+ T-cells) to target cells (IL13Rα2 positive cell linesand control cell line).

As shown in FIG. 12, panels A to E, ZFN-treated CD8+ T-cells maintainthe ability to kill IL13Rα2+ target cells.

Example 8 In Vivo Administration of ZFN-Treated, GR-Negative CD8+T-Cells

ZFN-treated GR-negative CD8+ T-cells were also analyzed for tumor cellkilling activity in vivo. Tumor cell cyotoxicity was measured in anorthotopic glioblastoma mouse model using luciferase labeled U87MG cellsinjected into the brain at day 0. At day 5, controls or ZFN-treated CD8+T-cells were injected into the brain and tumor volumes were determinedby measuring luciferase activity up to day 24.

As shown in FIG. 13, ZFN-treated GR-negative CD8+ T-cells (panel C)reduced tumor volumes as compared to controls. Furthermore, theexperiment shown in FIG. 14 demonstrates that the anti-tumor activity ofthe ZFN treated GR-negative CD8+ T-cells in the mouse tumor model wasnot negatively affected by the administration of glucocorticoid hormone.Accordingly, ZFN-treated GR-negative CD8+ T-cells can be administeredfor treatment of glioblastoma in patients receiving glucocorticoidhormones.

Example 9 Analysis of GR ZFN Specificity

To analyze the specificity of the GR ZFNs 9666 and 9674 in cells, wefirst determined consensus DNA binding site for both the 9666 and the9674 ZFNs in vitro using an affinity-based target site selectionprocedure (SELEX). See, also, U.S. Ser. No. 11/805,707, filed May 23,2007. An experimental overview is provided in FIG. 15. Briefly,hemaglutinin-tagged ZFNs were incubated with a pool of randomized DNAsequences in the presence of biotinylated anti-HA Fab antibodyfragments. The tagged ZFN-DNA complexes were captured withstreptavidin-coated magnetic beads, and the bound DNA was released andamplified by PCR. This process was repeated three times using theprevious eluted, amplified pool of DNA as a starting sequence. Afterfour iterations, the eluted DNA fragments were sequenced, and basefrequencies at each position in the binding sites of ZFN 9666 and ZFN9674 were determined.

A consensus based on the site selection data was used to guide agenome-wide bioinformatic prediction of the most similar putativeoff-target sites in the human genome. The resulting list of potentialcleavage sites was then ranked to give priority to those sites with thehighest similarity to the experimentally derived binding sitepreferences.

NR3C1 (the GR locus) contains the best match to the binding sitepreferences determined in the site selection experiments. Of the 15potential off-target sites, 10 fall within annotated genes, and only 2occur within exonic sequences. For none of these ten genes, has mutationor disruption been associated with any known pathology in CD8+ T cells.

Genotyping of clone 10A1 (a T cell derived clone) confirmed that none ofthe 15 sites with highest similarity to the consensus were modifiedunder conditions that resulted in bi-allelic modification of the GR(on-target) locus.

All patents, patent applications and publications mentioned herein arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Although disclosure has been provided in some detail by way ofillustration and example for the purposes of clarity of understanding,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications can be practiced without departing from the spirit orscope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing descriptions andexamples should not be construed as limiting.

1. A method for inactivating glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function in acell, the method comprising: expressing in the cell a pair of fusionproteins, wherein each fusion protein comprises: (i) a zinc fingerDNA-binding domain that has been engineered to bind a target sequence ina GR gene, and (ii) a cleavage half-domain; such that the fusionproteins catalyze a double-strand break in the GR gene.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising introducing a polynucleotide into the cell,wherein the polynucleotide comprises a first region of homology tosequences upstream of the double-strand break and a second region ofhomology to sequences downstream of the double-strand break.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the polynucleotide further comprisesexogenous sequences that are non-homologous to the GR gene.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the exogenous sequences comprise a transgene.5. The method of claim 4, wherein the transgene encodes a modifiedreceptor.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein inactivation of GR functionprevents glucocorticoid-mediated immune suppression.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein inactivation of GR function prevents T-cell anergy. 8.A fusion protein comprising: (i) a zinc finger DNA-binding domain thathas been engineered to bind a target sequence in a GR gene, and (ii) acleavage domain or a cleavage half-domain.
 9. A polynucleotide encodingthe fusion protein of claim
 8. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein theexpressing step comprises contacting the cell with a viral deliveryvector.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the vector isreplication-defective.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the viraldelivery vector is an adenovirus, a hybrid adenovirus or anon-integrating lentivirus.
 13. A method of selecting cells comprisingan exogenous sequence that has been integrated into a GR gene, themethod comprising expressing a pair of fusion proteins in the cell,wherein each fusion protein comprises: (i) a zinc finger DNA-bindingdomain that has been engineered to bind a target sequence in a GR gene,and (ii) a cleavage half-domain; such that the fusion proteins catalyzea double-strand break in the GR gene; introducing a polynucleotide intothe cell, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a first region ofhomology to sequences upstream of the double-strand break, a secondregion of homology to sequences downstream of the double-strand breakand the exogenous sequence; and treating the cells with a natural orsynthetic corticosteroid under conditions such that cells not comprisingthe integrated exogenous sequence are killed, thereby selecting cellsinto which an exogenous sequence has been introduced into a GR gene. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the corticosteroid is synthetic.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the corticosteriod is dexamethasone.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the exogenous sequence comprises atransgene.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the expressing stepcomprises contacting the cell with a viral delivery vector.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the vector is replication-defective.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the viral delivery vector is an adenovirus,a hybrid adenovirus or a non-integrating lentivirus.